Appliance Insights
Issue #14 | Curated by Pine Pienaar
This Week's Main Insight: Running Costs and Disposal Costs Are Now Part of the Price Tag
International Market
I. LG leans on both premium and volume to keep its appliance business steady.
In its preliminary third-quarter 2026 results (7 October), LG Electronics reported revenue of KRW 23.83 trillion and operating profit of KRW 781.8 billion. LG says its home appliance division grew through a "dual-track" strategy aimed at both premium and volume buyers, helped by appliance subscriptions, online sales and business-to-business work, while manufacturing and logistics efficiencies offset higher material and shipping costs.
II. Samsung previews its next wave of AI cooling, fridges and laundry.
At its "The Brief" showcase in Hanoi on 15 October, Samsung presented updated AI-powered smart cooling, refrigeration and laundry appliances, plus commercial solutions, for Southeast Asia and Oceania. It also gave a first look at products planned for 2027, including new air conditioners. Hanoi is far from Gqeberha, but Samsung's regional showcases usually hint at what reaches South African shelves later.
III. Whirlpool collects a design award, and results are due next week.
Whirlpool's Spin&Load dishwasher rack was named a finalist and honorable mention in Fast Company's 2026 Innovation by Design Awards on 1 October, and the company added Karin Risi to its Board on 19 October. All eyes now turn to its third-quarter results, scheduled for 26 October, after a tough year for the brand.
South African Market
I. Samsung South Africa is running a "Samsung Week" promotion.
Samsung's local offers page is currently promoting its Bespoke AI range, including the side-by-side Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator, the 16kg Bespoke AI front-loading washer and a wall-mount air conditioner, alongside dishwashers, hobs, hoods and microwaves. The page doesn't state start or end dates, so check the offer terms on samsung.com/za before you tell a customer a price is still on.
II. Eskom's proposed 8.8% hike would start on 1 April 2027.
Following on from the tariff consultation we covered earlier this month, the proposal is now clear: an average 8.8% increase from 1 April 2027, with fixed monthly charges for Homepower and Homeflex customers rising while the per-unit rate drops. Electricity prices have risen more than 900% since 2008, against roughly 230% inflation over the same period. With fixed charges rising, the running cost of an inefficient old appliance matters even more.
From Me
This week's appliance: Geysers
Your geyser is usually the biggest single electricity user in the house, so a few cheap habits pay off. Check the thermostat is set around 60°C (hot enough to keep bacteria out, but not wasting power), make sure the geyser and the first stretch of pipe are well insulated, and have a plumber test the pressure relief valve once a year. That last one is a safety item, not a nice-to-have, whether it's a Kwikot or any other make. If the water takes much longer to heat than it used to, the element or thermostat is usually the culprit, not the whole geyser.
Recycling reminder: International E-Waste Day (14 October) came with a new national message from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: "Fast Tech | Don't bin it, bring it!" South Africa generates over 360,000 tonnes of e-waste a year and only about 10% is properly recycled. The department says producers and recycling organisations are rolling out collection programmes in all nine provinces, with a focus on rural and peri-urban areas. Small gadgets count too: kettles, mini fans, chargers and cables. Free home collection is also an option. Vodacom and Circular Energy's recent challenge gathered more than 2,270 kg of e-waste from 114 home pickups, and Circular Energy is the same group behind LG's free collection service for old LG products.
More everyday appliance care over on the blog, worth a look before your next electricity bill: highpoint.blogspot.com
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Cheers,
Pine Pienaar
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) — All Appliance Repairs
